Study On The Safety When VLCCs Lighting By Double Sides In Anchorage

As China is importing more crude oil and oil products by sea, more VLCCs or ULCCs departure for and from China ports. But most oil terminals are not satisfactory for those large carriers to berth and handle due to the different restrictions in the harbors. It is extremely important to do some study on how to safely handle oil outside harbors, which could increase the oil output and serve the rapidly-increasing regional economy.Wherever large crude oil carriers are underway or in anchorage, to light oil outside harbors there are two methods: lighting by single side and by double sides. Presently, some countries (including China) have already solved how to light by single side, whatever how to do that safely by double sides is still on research. So, this paper does some study on the safety issue on the basis of the investigation on lighting by single side and by double sides in the Ports of Guangzhou and Beilun, in analysis of some figures and materials by the theory of Ocean Navigation, particularly in relation to my working experience on board crude oil carriers.This paper is divided into 9 Chapters:The first Chapter (Preface) introduces the background and the purpose of the Paper, the current situation of the issue, the main points of the Paper and the research methods.The second Chapter analyses the factors and parameters when large crude oil carriers lighting by double sides, and states the restrictions on the handling area, the ocean metrological, the carrier, and the human elements, then lists some cases relating to those elements.The third Chapter, by the given handling area in the VLCC anchorage in the Port Guangzhou, analyses the anchoring methods with the theory of Navigation and the mathematic model, lists the different methods in the different sea conditions and forward how to avoid dragging.The fourth Chapter states, when large crude oil carriers lighting by double sides, the requirements on the equipments and mainly the technical criteria andthe operational procedures of the equipments such as hose, fence, communication, which are explained with drawings.The fifth Chapter states, with large crude oil carriers lighting by double sides, the handling methods (particularly in emergency) and the safety requirements of the carrier and lighter from the beginning up to the end of the operation, and defines clearly the responsibilities of the operators and the methods how to avoid any perils during operation.The sixth Chapter, in relation to the risks within large crude oil carriers lighting by double sides, makes the corresponding emergency schemes as to fire, oil leakage, and so on.The seventh Chapter, according to the characteristics and safety requirements during large crude oil carriers lighting by double sides, advises respectively the administration and port operators how to monitor the operation as for the organization, application, and approval.The eighth Chapter lists the cases that the handling methods are applied in the Port Guangzhou and check the effectiveness.The ninth Chapter concludes the paper and states the future of the field.